After riding for a while, Xu Ze finally arrived at the old town of Chentang. The familiar sight of the red-bricked Xu Family Clinic came into view at the end of the street.
As Xu Ze approached, a warm smile spread across his face. He was almost home.
The Xu Family Clinic had been founded by Xu Ze’s grandfather forty years ago. After his grandfather’s passing, Xu Ze’s father had taken over the clinic and had been running it for the past eighteen years.
Over the years, Xu Ze’s father had managed the clinic, diagnosing illnesses and prescribing traditional Chinese medicine. His mother, in addition to handling household chores, helped with dispensing medicine and giving injections. On weekends and evenings, she also set up a small stall at the town’s middle school to supplement the family’s income.
The Xu Family Clinic primarily practiced traditional Chinese medicine. While Xu Ze’s father had dabbled in Western medicine out of necessity, he rarely ventured beyond prescribing pills and administering injections. More complex procedures, such as IV drips, were outside his comfort zone.
Xu Ze’s father was a cautious man, unwilling to take risks with his patients’ lives. However, this cautious approach also limited the clinic’s income. Most of their patients were neighbors and locals, and the fees they charged were modest. As a result, the clinic’s earnings were just enough to get by.
From a young age, Xu Ze had helped his parents at the clinic, starting with fetching medicine and eventually learning to administer injections under his father’s guidance. By the time he entered medical school, Xu Ze was already handling simple cases on his own.
Recognizing his son’s talent, Xu Ze’s father had encouraged him to pursue a medical degree, hoping that Xu Ze would one day take over the clinic.
Xu Ze had not disappointed. Shortly after starting medical school, he had secured a part-time job at the Huimin Clinic, thanks to his solid foundation in traditional medicine and his skill with injections.
Although the income was meager, it helped cover his school expenses. Over the past year, Xu Ze had gained valuable experience at the clinic, and by his third year of medical school, he had surpassed his father in certain areas. He had even begun prescribing IV treatments, which had improved the clinic’s financial situation.
However, with Xu Ze studying at Xingcheng University, over sixty kilometers away, he could only help out at the clinic on weekends. He was well aware of the financial strain on his family. Despite running the clinic and his mother’s efforts to supplement their income, the burden of supporting Xu Ze and his siblings’ education was heavy.
Every weekend, Xu Ze would make the two-hour bike ride home to help his parents. It was a routine he had grown accustomed to.
“Ah Ze, you’re back!”
As Xu Ze rode into Old Street, an elderly man greeted him with a smile.
“Yes, Uncle Li! You’re looking well. How’s your health been?” Xu Ze waved and smiled in return.
Uncle Li’s wrinkled face lit up with joy. “Thanks to the medicine you prescribed last time, my appetite’s been much better. I’ll come by tonight for a check-up.”
“Sure thing, Uncle Li. I’ll be here until Sunday.”
A few steps further, a middle-aged woman stepped out of a small shop and called out to Xu Ze. “Xiao Ze, are you leaving on Monday? Your uncle went out to stock up on supplies today and won’t be back until tomorrow evening. He’s been wanting to see you for a refill of his medicine. He finished the last batch and has been asking when you’d be back.”
Xu Ze smiled and replied, “Auntie Yun, no worries. I’ll be here until Sunday. Tell Uncle Liu to come see me when he’s back.”
Auntie Yun’s face brightened. “That’s great! I’ll let him know as soon as he’s back.”
“Alright, I’ll head home now!” Xu Ze waved again and pedaled past a couple of pedestrians, eager to get to the clinic. From a distance, he could see several people waiting outside. It looked like it was going to be a busy day.